A Cocktail and a Conversation: Thanksgiving Edition

We have so much to be thankful for this year. Seriously. Some of us had kids. We have great partners. Some of us got new jobs. We got new houses. We're graduating. We're healthy.

But of course we are thankful for all of that!

So this year at Broke and Bookish, we decided to break with tradition and divulge our silliest, most off the wall things that we are thankful for.

Bridget says: I am thankful that we will be on Long Island for Thanksgiving this year, which means I will get to partake in real pizza, which my life is currently lacking. (No, we don’t eat pizza FOR Thanksgiving. But I wouldn’t complain if we did.)

Daisy says: I'm thankful for Zoey the Zebra, a toy that endlessly entertains my daughter and makes her dance, which is the best thing ever. I'm also thankful for the existence of sushi, since I can eat it again now.

Julia says: I am thankful over the air digital receivers so that I will be able to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while not having cable. Also for free XM for the weekend so while I am driving around Ohio to hit up all the family gatherings, it will be with a great variety of music.

Jana says: I’m so thankful for cozy blankets because they make me unbelievably happy. If I’m sad or not feeling well, I curl up with one. I love being surrounded by soft things, so I own way too many blankets.

Lori says: I am so thankful for hot toddies. Bourbon. Little bit of honey. A hot drink on a cold night. I think the citrus will help prevent me from getting scurvy this winter. And I'm thankful for fuzzy socks. I could live in them!

Kimberly says: I'm grateful to have a dog to help clean up the floors after my nieces and nephews have picked through their Thanksgiving meal.


What off the wall things are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Rules for Life

Having recently marked the occasion of my birthday, I began contemplating what all I've learned and what all I've concluded during my years.  I shot for thirty, one rule for each year.

Here's what all I came up with:

1. Always keep a bottle of champagne chilling in the fridge for celebrations, like Thursdays.
2. Even the inexpensive champagne can be quite good.
3. By all means, reduce your intake of carbs, but never give up on them.
4. Add a little half and half or cream before scrambling eggs.
5. Sometimes the best meals are for one.
6. Invest in boots, purses, gloves, olive oil, books, jewelry, coffee, planners, notebooks, knives, and your laptop.
7. Even savasana can be a rigorous practice.
8. Baked goods are perfect for winning over the hearts of children.
9. Otherwise, baking is largely overrated.
10. Cooking well, even just one dish, can garner admiration.
11. Bar stools make great places for thinking and writing, plus you get better service.
12. Find a local liquor store and make friends with the workers.
13. Buy toilet paper in bulk--you won't not use it.
14. Pack light, but always bring an extra book or two.
15. Buy multiple copies of your favorite books.
16. Re-read old favorites, even if you only read part--it's good for the soul.
17. Don't be afraid to say goodbye. If someone was meant to be in your life, they won't hold it against you and will welcome you fondly.
18. That said, apologize if you need to.
19. Conversely, don't give someone too many chances.
20. Throw things away.
21. Don't spend much on sunglasses.
22. Don't smile if you don't want to.
23. Try to be good. If that fails, try to limit your damages.
24. Always keep a corkscrew in your travel kit (but check TSA if flying).
25. Keep those little NCIS flashlights scattered throughout your house.
26. Get yourself presents for the holidays too--from you, to you--and to hell with anyone who snarks at you for it.
27. It's OK to disengage from being social at any time.
28. Never let your birthday plans depend upon someone else coming through.
29. If it's not working, try pivoting a few times. But know when to pull the plug.
30. There are always exceptions and exceptions to exceptions and so on.


What rules for life have you come up with?

Banned Books Week, September 24-30

Source: @BannedBooksWeek on Twitter

I always love Banned Books Week. I still find it amazing in our day and age that we even need to celebrate such an event, but the sad fact remains that books are still banned to this day. I mean, I guess I can see why. Books promote ideas. And what could be worse than people having ideas? They might change their life-views, expand their horizons, question the status quo, think for themselves! Horror!

It's one of the things that has truly shocked and disappointed me about my family dynamic. I grew up in a pretty sheltered, small environment. To be sure, my parents freely encouraged me to read and never really monitored what I read. I guess they felt that if I wasn't ready for something, I just wouldn't get it, but I wouldn't be scarred by the experience. And I think they were right. I am so grateful for that kind of freedom growing up. Then I went to college. Not only was I reading things, but I was discussing these things. I was no longer in a vacuum. I participated in the free exchange of ideas. And I changed. I broke off the shackles that fettered me to my parents' modes of thinking; in a way, I outgrew them. Eventually, I even became more vocal about disagreeing with my parents and questioning them and the status quo.

And it's like they don't really believe me. Like they think I'm going through some phase, like a rebellious teenager. If they even acknowledge it (my dad usually turns a blind eye and a deaf ear). This turn of events has certainly put a strain on the relationship. Mostly we can get along, but sometimes I just have to walk away or call bull-shit. Or pour another extra large glass of wine.

I wouldn't change it for the world.

I wouldn't dare go back to living a small-minded, closed-minded existence for the sake of familial harmony.

This is why we're here--to question, to think big, to dream big, to move beyond.

I am so grateful to books for giving me this medium to expand my horizons. This is so important in the current political climate. Books have made me question, books have made me wary, and books have made be fight.

This week I celebrate the perpetual quest for knowledge and growth by promoting open access to books. I hope you will join me by picking up something controversial and thinking about it. Maybe it will change your view, maybe it will reaffirm your view, but it will definitely change you and make you grow.

Cheers!

August Faves and September TBR

Ahhhh...the end of the month.  It's the perfect stop to stop and reflect on our favorite reads and our hottest upcoming TBR.... :)

August Faves

Lauren says:  All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood - This is definitely a controversial book that I can see many people having different opinions on. My opinion is simple... this was very well written and I legit read in one sitting. While I don't in anyway condone situations that occurred in the book, it was completely engrossing and heartbreaking.

Lori says:  Run River by Joan Didion - I practically inhaled this novel!  It was Didion's first novel.  The subject matter (cheating spouse) kind of hit a nerve with me (I just don't like reading about infidelity), but I read the novel more for research on Didion and her craft and tried to shake off the infidelity.  She doesn't use many spare details or words.  Her style is very precise, which makes it very deeply felt.

September TBR

Lauren says:  The Wonder by Emma Donoghue - I picked this book up to get back to my historical fiction roots. I've neglected that genre for too long. If anyone can help me leap back in, it's mystery historical fiction book by Emma Donoghue.

Lori says:  A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving - Every now and then I get this itch to read a John Irving novel.  It's usually in the fall.  I don't know why I always associate his stuff with the cooler months, but I do.  Whatever.  I've been meaning to read this one for a while and am going for it.  Bonus Pick:  It by Stephen King - I want to read it before the movie comes out.  I actually snuck this into a textbook order, so please don't tell my mom...

What did you love in August?  What are you looking forward to in September?

Cocktail and Conversation

It's time for another Cocktail and Conversation with the Broke and Bookish ladies!

This week we're talking about fall:

What are you most looking forward to as we head into fall?

Bridget says:  I am sooo looking forward to opening the windows, lighting candles (Yankee Candle Kitchen Spice or bust), wearing boots and sweaters and jeggings, offices being a reasonable temperature instead of feeling like a refrigerator, the leaves changing, finally having an excuse to wear tights with my dresses, less humidity aka less frizziness...I could go on!!

Jana says:  I love the cool, crisp weather that makes sweaters so cozy! Pumpkin bread from my favorite local bakery. Drives up the canyon to see the leaves change colors. I love the atmosphere of the excitement surrounding Halloween and the spooky novels I read around that time. And I loooove Thanksgiving! 

Lauren says:  I'm looking forward to the weather cooling down and not freaking out every other day. I'm ready to sit on the swing outside to read without sweating to death. Oh yeah... and new book releases of course. :)

Lori says:  I can't narrow it down!  I've started missing my boots and scarves.  I will always be a summer girl, but I do love those clothes.  College football, for sure.  I love waking up on a Saturday and knowing my entire day is already full of the games.  It doesn't even matter who is playing--it's just fun to watch.  Lastly, the endless supply of chili that goes with the endless supply of college football.  I have an awesome recipe.



What are you looking forward to with fall?

Book Haul--8-27-17

It's been a while since I've shown off my new acquisitions, so I thought I'd throw together a book haul post.  Also, it's more fun than working on some homework.  :)

Since our last Book Haul back in July, I have acquired the following:

This is my non-fiction stack.

• Moranifesto by Caitlin Moran
• Legendary Authors and the Clothes they Wore by Terry Newman
• Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen
• Heat: An Amateur's Adventures as a Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta-Maker, and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany by Bill Buford
• Cork Dork: A Wine-Fueled Adventure Among the Obsessive Sommeliers, Big Bottle Hunters, and Rogue Scientists Who Taught Me to Live for Taste by Bianca Bosker
• First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers by Loung Ung

I read two of Moran's books over the summer--she is a delight!  Now I own all three.  I haven't started Moranifesto yet, but will probably do so soon.  Legendary Authors is a lovely volume.  It briefly profiles authors who are known for their clothing.  I'm still reading it, but yes, I have read the Joan Didion entry.  :)  Girl, Interrupted was difficult to put down.  It's the only one in my haul that I have finished.  Heat and Cork Dork just looked like a lot of fun.  I haven't had a ton of time to cook lately, but I think these might help me vicariously live in the kitchen.  First They Killed My Father I picked up after reading the (somewhat controversial) Angelina Jolie interview in the September issue of Vanity Fair.

Here's my fiction books.

• Room by Emma Donoghue
• The Double and The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevsky
• The Portable Joseph Conrad
• The Last Things He Wanted by Joan Didion
• A Book of Common Prayer by Joan Didion
• Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson
• Democracy by Joan Didion

I cannot quite remember why I bought Room, but it sounds really interesting.  I purchased the Dostoevsky after watching the Mark Wahlberg film with the same name.  I just knew it was based on some novella and once I figured out whose, I pounced.  I bought the Conrad because he keeps coming up in all of the Joan Didion stuff I've been reading.  Except! This volume doesn't have the novella Victory, which I most wanted to read.  Whatever.  The three Didions--I might have a bit of an obsession.  She's just so wonderful and raw.  Another Brooklyn has just been popping up on my radar a lot, so I bought a copy, easy peasy.


There you have it--my recent acquisitions.


What have you gotten lately?

Cocktail and Conversation

It's been a couple of weeks since our last edition of Cocktail and Conversation.  Pour yourself a drink, pull up a chair, and let's chat.

This week's question:  What is your favorite room/spot at home? (Not just for reading, but generally)


Lori says:  I love our back porch.  My boyfriend and I sit outside on the back porch for hours, just chilling and having a couple of beverages.  I also love doing yoga, eating, and reading out there.  I bought a lot of plants and flowers to cover the porch this spring, which makes it just lovely.


Jana says:  My favorite spot in my house is my bedroom. I just re-did the entire thing last summer, so I've got a book nook and tons of bookshelves, a really comfy chair with throw pillows and soft blankets, and a cute little lamp that puts off the coziest warm light. I love spending my time reading there or watching my favorite old movies.

What about you?  What's your favorite spot in your home?

Book Haul--July 23, 2017

As per usual, we've all got new books coming in all the time!  Here are some of our recent acquisitions:

Lauren's Haul

Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood
You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
Chasing Embers by James Bennett
Life After Life by Kate Adkinson
The Fever by Meg Abbott
Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel
The Wanderers by Meg Howrey
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
The Official Bob's Burgers Coloring Book
Botanical Line Drawing

Lori's Haul

Could not get this picture to rotate to save my life--sorry!

The Rules Do Not Apply by Ariel Levy

Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick

These are my Book of the Month Club picks

Goodbye Vitamin by Rachel Khong

American Fire by Monica Hesse

Final Girls by Riley Sager

A Cocktail and Conversation

This week's question:  What is you favorite thing to cook and why?

Bridget said:  Probably my mother-in-law's macaroni and cheese recipe!! So easy and so delicious. Perfect for potlucks and picnics!

Kimberly said:  I'm not sure if it can be called a recipe, but I love making pasta salad. It's pretty simple, but so so yummy! It's perfect this time of year too, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, pepperoni and cheese with Italian dressing.

Lori said:  I love experimenting with pasta, but in the interest of something different--my favorite meal to make is fried chicken, fried potatoes, and corn bread.  I love the amount of time it takes to make the whole meal.  And my fried chicken recipe is just damn good.  :)

Jana said:  I love this chicken!  Sooooo good! I use a glass dish for baking instead of the foil, and it's crunchy and amazing.


What about you?

Nora Ephron

Today marks five years since Nora Ephron passed away.  She was such an amazing writer that I wanted to share some thoughts on her.  She wrote a bit of everything during her long and successful career.  She began as a journalist.  She moved into film, giving the world When Harry Met Sally and You've Got Mail.  She turned the breakup of her second marriage to Bernstein into a humorous novel, Heartburn, which was also turned into a movie.  She wrote about food.  She became an essayist and blogger.  Literally, she did it all.  But I don't want this to be a type of obituary.  The New York Times already wrote one.  Rather, I want to talk about what all she's meant to me.

Without really realizing it, I first encountered Nora Ephron when I watched You've Got Mail at age 11.  Four years ago (has it really been that long? Apparently!), I wrote a post gushing over that film.  In so many ways, it's the book lover's dream of the romantic ideal.  At least, it was this book lover's epitome of the romantic ideal for so long.  I loved the way Nora used language throughout the plot.  Little did I know that this film was a remake, with an original starring James Stewart and a musical starring Judy Garland.  But it felt so original and was an excellent commentary on the burgeoning world of email.  How many friends do I have now that I first encountered online?  Too many to count.  I've met a few of them in person.  But that doesn't matter.  It's really all about the power of technology to bring people together.

Shortly after she passed, The Most of Nora Ephron came out.  This volume puts together a sampling of all of her writing, including the screenplay to When Harry Met Sally and the entirety of her novel.  I pre-ordered the book.  And like most books that I buy, it sat on my shelves for quite some time.

No matter.

The proper time to read the book appeared about ten months later.  At that time, my full-time job was sitting in my beloved papa's hospital room.  Unfortunately, the months of him being in one facility or another had taken their toll and he was no longer the best of conversationalists.  There was little else for me to do but read most of the time.  But my reading had to come in spurts because there were always so many interruptions.  So I picked up this and took it with me.  It was perfect.  There were so many short pieces, but there were also longer pieces for the evenings when I did have longer stretches to read.  And she wrote with such humor and honesty that I didn't feel overly sappy and sad.  (I've compared this period in my life to Faulkner's novel As I Lay Dying because of the tragicomedy that ensued)  I was reading this book when I learned about the deaths of Robin Williams and Lauren Bacall and just didn't understand.

Bottom line, she helped get me through that time.  She helped me be able to see the genuine humor in the little moments.  She helped me see the humor in the tragic moments.  She gave me a wonderful book to read.  She gave me something to aspire to.  She gave me a lot to think about.

This summer I picked up that volume again and read almost everything in it over the course of about four days.  I was again reminded of the wit and wisdom in her writing.  It inspired me to think about my own writing.  And it again inspired me to look for the humor, even in the humorless moments.  It's there.

I want to leave you with two very powerful pieces from the book, which were originally included in her 2011 book of essays, I Remember Nothing: And Other Reflections.  These two close out her collected volume and they've always stuck with me in their smallness and bigness:

What I Won't Miss 
Dry skin
Bad dinners like the one we went to last night
E-mail
Technology in general
My closet
Washing my hair
Bras
Funerals
Illness everywhere
Polls that show that 32 percent of the American people believe in creationism
Polls
Fox TV
The collapse of the dollar
Joe Lieberman
Clarence Thomas
Bar mitzvahs
Mammograms
Dead flowers
The sound of the vacuum cleaner
Bills
E-mail. I now I already said it, but I want to emphasize it.
Small print
Panels on Women in Film
Taking off makeup every night

What I Will Miss
My kids
Nick
Spring
Fall
Waffles
The concept of waffles
Bacon
A walk in the park
The park
Shakespeare in the Park
The bed
Reading in bed
Fireworks
Laughs
The view out the window
Twinkle lights
Butter
Dinner at home just the two of us
Dinner with friends
Dinner with friends in cities where none of us lives
Paris
Next year in Istanbul
Pride and Prejudice
The Christmas tree
Thanksgiving dinner
One for the table
The dogwood
Taking a bath
Coming over the bridge to Manhattan
Pie

Thanks, Ms. Ephron.  You are missed.

How My Reading Habits Have Changed

My reading habits have changed a lot over the years.  This post reflects on some of those changes...

Initially I was all about the classics.  If it wasn't a classic, I really kind of turned up my nose.  Then somewhere along the time of the great reading slump that lasted for the better part of a few years, where for every one book I read, I had started and discarded twenty (maybe an exaggeration, maybe not), I started branching out.  I've read so many wonderful contemporary books!  YA, sci-fy/fantasy...those still aren't my thing.  And that's OK.  But I'm not as wholly opposed to them as I once was.  If I started a good book and it happened to be YA, as long as it stayed good, I'd read it.  No need to be a snob.

Further, I've stopped stressing about the slumps.  I'm crazy-assed busy!  I do not always have time to read.  I still carry a book with me (almost) everywhere I go (mostly in case of a hostage situation), but if I don't have time to read for a few days, I usually wind up switching books because my interest has kind of petered out.  If I hit a string of books that I'm just not feeling, I don't bemoan my fate or wonder whether my reading days are over.  I just keep trying.  Eventually, I'll find something that grabs me and keeps me.

I stopped reviewing books.  I just didn't see the point in it.  Books were either classics that had been talked about to death (or no one but me was interested in) or new and already super hyped, so my saying anything--especially in the book community--wasn't going to sway anybody.  I'll definitely post a pic with my current read on Instagram, maybe even including a sentence about my current perception of the book.

I also talk about books differently.  My boyfriend is not a reader, so I'll tell him a snippet about what's driving me crazy about the book or what I'm liking.  Then, based on his follow-up questions, I go into way too much detail explaining the plot, complete with ALL THE BACKSTORY!  Then I think he regrets asking any questions about the book.  But I move on, he moves on.

My best friend will get the books I like or am feeling conflicted about thrust at her with a sentence--usually "Hey, read this; it's really effed up, but I kind of like it."  She'll read it and send me a text saying, "WTF, Lori!  This book is really effed up! But I kinda like it."  To which I respond, "I know, right?! That's why I'm making you read it."

As I've gravitated toward contemporary fiction, it's less often that I'll tell my dad to read something because there are fewer books that I think he'd be interested in reading.  But, interestingly, I'm more apt to tell my grandma to read things.  Books that include homosexual characters (The Nest) and the c-word! (Atonement)  She reads these books without much comment ("I liked it" or "That was hard to read") and returns them to me.

Like I said, nowadays I don't review books.  I don't even track them on Goodreads or in a notebook.  No, I sign my name and write the date I finished it on the inside cover.  Then I put the book in a cardboard box in the hall closet to make room for more books.  Some, however, like my Joan Didions, return to their shelves because I can't quite quit Joan...

Cocktail & Conversation

Pour yourself a drink and pull up a seat!  This week's question for the Broke and Bookish Ladies is:

Water park or amusement park? Why?


Bridget says:  Amusement park! I hate being all wet and squishy walking around the park. Plus I always just feel slimy with all that gross water, and awkward walking around in a bathing suit all day. Gimme a roller coaster over a water slide any day!

Jana says:  Amusement park! I'm with Bridget, I hate being wet all day and walking around in a swimsuit. I also fry and end up looking like a lobster after 30 minutes. I love roller coasters and other rides, though, and I've spent many summer days hanging out at various amusement parks. So many memories!

Lauren says:  I choose... both! For now I'd rather go to an amusement park because I am on my weight loss journey and I don't quite feel comfortable wearing swimwear yet. Plus I LOVE roller coasters!

Julia says:  I enjoy both water parks and amusement parks, but I usually go to amusement parks over water parks if I am looking for a vacation or a break. In fact I am heading out to one today to ride all of the roller coasters! Let's hope for good weather.

Lori says:  WATER PARKS!!!!!  I love chillin' in the lazy river (although kids have NO CHILL and constantly bump into my tube), but I also love riding the water rides.  I like being able to be outside, getting some sun, and staying cool at the same time.  Where's my fruity umbrella drink?  :)

Kimberly says:  I really like both, but I feel like I get bored with water parks faster. It could be because the only actual water park I've been to is Lagoon here in Utah. It's fun, but once you've done a few of the slides you've done it all. But I do love amusement parks! It's something I've missed this summer being pregnant, I could go walk around but I'd have to skip all the rides and who wants to do that?



Your turn!  Water park or amusement park?

Lori and Yoga with Adriene

Behind the scenes at The Broke and the Bookish, we've been talking about making some changes, by way of writing posts about other things of interest to us.  This is one of those posts.

Since I was a teenager, I've been interested in yoga as a physical and mental exercise.  I've never gotten into meditation, but I love being in my head, in the zone, while I'm practicing.  For a period of time, I was able to go to classes a few times a week.  Then life throws you some curveballs.  That's OK.  We live in a wonderful age in which you can find just about everything you are looking for on the internet.

That's how I found Yoga with Adriene.

It was just over two years ago, shortly after my beloved papa passed away.  I was living with my parents, working retail, trying to figure out what to do with my life.  I wanted to do some yoga, so I did a search for "yoga challenge" or something like that.  The results took me to a YouTube channel--Adriene's.  I started a tentative practice with her videos.  She had recently done a 30 days of yoga for the month of January, which is what I began with.  But she posts new videos every week throughout the year.  Beyond that, she has a members only site through VHX that has a lot of members only content.  It's a great resource.

I've practiced yoga with Adriene on and off since then.  Honestly, more off than on.  Especially lately.  Time--both finding it and making it--has been a major issue.  There's that impulse of if you're going to do something, do it in a big way.  At least that's my impulse.  But that's really not how yoga works.  And that's definitely not how Yoga with Adriene works.  Her tagline is "Find What Feels Good."  Sometimes, occasionally (but not so much for me at home), it works to do that hour long practice--and Adriene has plenty of those.  More often, though, the shorter practices fit better.  That's traditionally where I thrive.

Like I said, I have been more off with the practicing of yoga lately.  As in for the past over a year.  Not much yoga-ing going on.  And I've been feeling like shit the past few months in particular.  Bad moods.  Bad eating habits.  Bad energy level.  Bad everything.  Yoga has been on my mind quite a lot over the past couple of weeks, kind of like the window that's open despite all of the closed doors.

This morning I decided to take a bite.  I logged onto the VHX site for the first time in I don't know how long and began looking around.  There were longer practices to be sure.  But I fought the impulse to attempt to commit to 35 minutes, when I was pretty sure I'd peter out, frustrated and full of self-loathing, after about 15.  I found a set of videos that were flow yoga videos.  Most of Adriene's videos are flow videos, but these were top videos dedicated to flow.  I found one that I had done before and really liked.  It was 18 minutes.  Perfect.  The video is available on YouTube and I've provided a link below for those interested.

I rolled out my yoga mat, sipped some cold water to clear my mind, and hit play.  Sigh.  I am so glad I did.  The practice was short and compact and it had everything.  Funnily enough, the other day I was trying to remember the shoulder/elbow/arm roll she does in this video, but I didn't remember that it was in this video.  Perfect serendipity.

Anyway, now I'm off the mat.  My attitude feels better.  The tightness between my shoulders feels better.  I feel better in this moment.  I plan on going back to the mat to do this video tomorrow and for a few days after that, in the hopes of getting back to something I truly love and know makes a difference for me.  I don't know how many days in a row I'll do this video in particular or yoga in general, but I hope it's a good stretch.

If I can remember that that short, 20 minute practice is enough, maybe I can remember that I am enough.



Note--I was in no way compensated for this post.  I was not approached by anybody about writing this post.  I simply had a great yoga session today and wanted to share some thoughts.

Lauren's Most Recent Book Haul

I honestly can't remember the last time I threw together a book haul post, so that must mean it's been too long! Here's a few books I bought over the last couple of weeks. Some were on sale and a couple just caught my eye!

Utopia by Thomas More

The Lost City of Z by David Grann

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Let Me Off at the Top! by Ron Burgundy

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

A Good in Ruins by Kate Atkinson

The Luminaries by Elenor Catton

What's in your latest book haul?

Julia Learns to Cook With Blue Apron: Seared Chicken and Fregola Sarda

I have a confession to make. I’ve been alive a bazillion years at this point and can’t cook. I am awful at it. I measure recipes by how many times I have to open a window to let out the smoke. Thus I eat out or eat terribly and I wanted to change that.

One day I was browsing through Facebook and I got an ad for Blue Apron. It was $30 off my first order, so I decided why not? I’ve cooked four meals with them now and so far have really enjoyed it!

The first meal I cooked was Seared Chicken and Fregola Sarda with Salsa Verde, corn and tomato. I figured that these were ingredients at least that I had heard of, chicken, corn and the like, so let’s start with something easy.

What I learned from this experience was to read the steps before I wanted to start cooking. I added an hour onto my time by just being stumped by things. For instance – step one was preparing the ingredients. Awesome. Wash produce. Check. Heat some water. Got it. Chop the capers… wait what? Chop the capers? They are like the size of my pink nail, but round. Ok I can figure this out. Five confused minutes later I had chopped capers. Then things got really interested.

Finely chop the parsley leaves and stems. Okay. I don’t think I have ever used fresh herbs. So this was scary. I just knife them? With a big knife? Okay. Peel and mince the garlic. This one required a YouTube search. I stared at the garlic confused about how to get cloves out of it. But helpful video was helpful and I ended up with a garlic paste at the end (which was intended). The same sort of shenanigans followed with cutting corn off a cob and dicing a tomato.

Now it’s time to actually cook. Boiling pasta? Finally, something I am a master at. Throwing things in a pan and stirring until it looks cooked? Got that! Searing chicken… well. That was at least entertaining. And I didn’t completely dry out the chicken.

The dish was delicious in the end and I had enough for the next day’s lunch. I felt like a freaking goddess thinking that I had cooked such an awesome dish. It was so nice to have everything I needed in just the right portion sizes. The only downside is you have such a small window to cook everything in since it’s all pretty much thawed when it arrives in your box.

I was actually really surprised how much I liked the capers Salsa Verde. Also how delicious it tasted as leftovers.

I am excited for the next couple of recipes that are currently being shipped for me next week. Stayed tuned for more when I talk about the salmon disaster and the lick the plate good chicken.

Have any of you used Blue Apron or the like? What do you think of it? 

Lori Talks Non-Fiction November

Hi All.  I’m embarking on an experiment for the month of November.  Non-fiction November.  I saw it elsewhere and decided to adopt it.  Pretty self-explanatory—I’m just going to read non-fiction during the month.  It really kind of fits for me because I just don’t have a lot of reading time; so if I get into a novel, I read a bit then lose the story.

A few books on my list for the month—

1.     My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem.  I’ve been reading this one on and off for a while, but I am finally going to finish.  She is super inspiring and really interesting.  It’s made me care a lot more than I have in a while.  This one is also really special because I got an autographed copy sent to me by a friend who organized an event with Steinem.  What a lovely lady!

2.     Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter by Simone deBeauvoir.  A week ago, one of my good friends said that she thought she totally could have fit in during the grunge era.  My response was that I would totally fit in during the postwar French existentialism era.  Then I took a Facebook quiz about what literary era I would fit into.  It said French existentialism.  And we all know that Facebook personality quizzes are infallible.  So I decided to pick up this book by the Queen of French Existentialism.  Yay for two-day shipping.  I’ve already started and I am so beyond excited.  Now that I’m done with my big appellate brief and almost done with my mock bench trial, I can sit down and ignore school for a bit.  The intro said this one would make you think, make you feel, and make you want to read and write more.  I’m down.

3.     Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham.  OK, this doesn’t come out until the end of the month, but I think I can maybe manage to make a good dent in it by the end of the month.  I am excited to hear what Lauren Graham has to say about life and Gilmore Girls before and after.  She is such a smart and funny person.  I loved her novel that came out a few years ago, so I can’t wait to hear her thoughts on other things.  Also—perfect timing with the revival coming out on the 25^th.

I haven’t finished three books in one month since this summer (oh, the days of not having anything going on--how I miss them!).  So we’ll see what actually happens.  But it’s always fun to plan…